An epidemiological study of well-water nitrates in a group of south west african/namibian infants

Super, M.; Heese, H. De V.; MacKenzie, D.; Dempster, W. S.; Plessis, J. du; Ferreira, J. J.

doi:10.1016/0043-1354(81)90103-2

Cited by 80 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This is consistent with the findings of Akiti (1977) who observed similar elevated nitrate concentrations in boreholes in Tamne basin in Bawku in the upper east region of Ghana. According to McDonald and Kay (1988), the consumption of water with high nitrate concentrations (above 10mg/l) can result in the disease called Methaemoglobinemia (also known as Blue Baby Syndrome) which normally affect children, especially bottled-fed infants who are less than 3 months old (Super et al, 1981). This implies that in communities where nitrate levels are above permissible levels, very young infants may be vulnerable to this disease, and therefore, efforts in public health awareness creation must be carried out to farmers especially in rural areas on the potential risk involved in the use of such chemical for farming on the health of young children.…”

Section: Groundwater Sustainability In Terms Of Water Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Groundwater Sustainability in the Bawku East Municipality of Ghana

Zango¹,

Anim-Gyampo²,

Ampadu³

2014

JSD

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The sustainability of groundwater, which is the major source of potable water due to its general superiority in terms of natural quality and reliability in the semi-arid Bawku municipality had been assessed quantitatively using data on 760 boreholes, 79 hand-dug wells (HDWs), 8 mechanized boreholes, and water quality analysis of 25 boreholes and 10 HDWs. Analysis of drill logs revealed the existence of granitoids and Birimian metavolcanics as the main geological formations hosting structurally controlled aquifers. The estimated current annual water demand and abstraction were 6.52×10 6 and 2.8×10 6 m 3 respectively while the estimated annual recharge rate, permanent groundwater reserve and recoverable water reserve were 20.6×10 6 m 3 , 799.02×10 6 m 3 and 319.61×10 6 m 3 respectively. The study showed that the current groundwater abstraction constitute only 13.6% of annual groundwater recharge, 35.02% of permanent groundwater reserve and meets only 42.9% of groundwater demand leaving a deficit of about 57.1% (3.72×10 6 m 3 /yr). Thus, aquifers meet current demand and have the capacity to be further developed to meet future needs sustainably. The observed gradual decrease in groundwater levels, annual rainfall figures and a corresponding increase in temperature (unfavourable climate change effects) coupled with the ever-increasing population may impact negatively on groundwater reserve in the near future if adaptive measures are not put in place. We recommend for further and more detailed studies including but limited to continuous monitoring of groundwater levels, yield, quality and isotopic studies of the resource in the municipality so as to ensure sustainable management to meet the socio-economic needs of the inhabitants.

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Section: Groundwater Sustainability In Terms Of Water Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Groundwater Sustainability in the Bawku East Municipality of Ghana

Zango¹,

Anim-Gyampo²,

Ampadu³

2014

JSD

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“…An epidemiologic study in South Africa [7] found an increase in methemoglobin levels in infants that are fed water with nitrate A 20 mg/L nitrate-N. However, clinical methemoglobinemia was rarely found.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Discharged Wastewater Final Effluent on the Physicochemical Qualities of a Receiving Watershed in a Suburban Community of the Eastern Cape Province

Osode

Okoh²

2009

CLEAN Soil Air Water

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Failures of sewage treatment systems, both within and outside South Africa, are most commonly ascribed to inadequate facilities and other factors resulting in the production of poor quality effluents with attendant negative consequences on the receiving watershed. The impact of the final effluent of a wastewater treatment facility in a suburban community of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa on the physicochemical qualities of the receiving watershed was assessed between August 2007 and July 2008. Water quality parameters were analyzed according to the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry standards. The effluent quality was acceptable with respect to the pH (6.9–7.8), temperature (13.8–22.0°C), dissolved oxygen (DO) (4.9–7.8 mg/L), salinity (0.12–0.17 psu), total dissolved solids (TDS) (119–162 mg/L) and nitrite concentration (0.1–0.4 mg/L). The other physicochemical parameters that did not comply with regulated standards include the following: phosphate (0.1–4.0 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (5–211 mg/L), electrical conductivity (EC) (237–325 μS/cm), and turbidity (7.7–62.7 NTU). The results suggest that eutrophication is intensified in the vicinity of the effluent discharge points, where phosphate and nitrate were found in high concentrations. The discharged final effluents had detrimental effects on the receiving body of water, thus suggesting the need for regular and consistent intervention by appropriate monitoring and compliance agencies to ensure adherence to acceptable standards for discharged effluents.

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“…citrus and tomato juices). Super et al (1981) reported a strong correlation between nitrate well-water levels (< 20 mg/L compared with > 20 mg/L) in Namibia and MetHb levels in infants up to 12 months old. MetHb levels ranged from 0 to 35 %, with a significantly greater proportion of infants with MetHb exceeding 3 % in the region with water nitrate > 20 mg/L and with estimated nitrate intakes > 2.93 mg/kg b.w.…”

Section: Methb Formation From Exposure To Nitrate Via Consumption Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Statement on possible public health risks for infants and young children from the presence of nitrates in leafy vegetables

2010

EFS2

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Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound present in vegetables, the consumption of which can contribute significantly to nitrate dietary exposure. The European Food Safety Authority Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) issued an opinion on 'Nitrate in vegetables' in 2008. The European Commission subsequently requested more information on potential acute effects of nitrate exposure in infants and young children consuming lettuce or spinach, taking into account the possibility of establishment of slightly higher maximum levels as an alternative to local derogations. For infants, cooked spinach is more likely to be a component of the diet than lettuce. Nitrate exposure at the current or proposed maximum levels for nitrate in spinach cooked from fresh is unlikely to be a health concern, although a risk for some infants eating more than one spinach meal in a day cannot be excluded. For children, the CONTAM Panel concluded that levels of nitrate in lettuce are not a health concern. However the concentrations of nitrate in spinach have the potential to increase dietary nitrate exposure to levels at which a health concern can not be excluded for some young children. Enforcing the current maximum levels for nitrate in lettuce and spinach, or proposed maximum levels at 500 mg/kg higher than the current maximum levels, would have a minor impact compared to the situation of local derogations from the maximum levels, because only about 1 % of lettuce samples and 5 % of spinach samples exceeded the respective current maximum levels. Inappropriate storage of cooked vegetables can result in in situ conversion of nitrate to nitrite, resulting in an increased potential for causing methaemoglobinaemia. The CONTAM Panel noted that infants and children with bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract are more sensitive to nitrate, and recommended against feeding spinach to such children. SUMMARYNitrate is a naturally occurring compound present in vegetables, the consumption of which can contribute significantly to nitrate dietary exposure. Some vegetables, particularly leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, have been shown to have relatively high levels of nitrate which are increased when grown under cover (e.g. in glass houses) and/or in conditions of reduced lighting. The European Commission, in considering options for a longer-term strategy to manage any risks from dietary nitrate exposure, used the scientific basis provided by the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 'Nitrate in vegetables' issued by the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) in 2008. As part of the process, more information was requested on potential acute health effects of nitrate exposure in infants and young children consuming lettuce or spinach taking into account the possibility of establishment of slightly higher maximum levels as an alternative to local derogations.The CONTAM Panel considered the results of approximately 45,000 analytical results for nitrate in vegetables, inclu...

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An epidemiological study of well-water nitrates in a group of south west african/namibian infants

Cited by 80 publications

References 8 publications

Assessment of Groundwater Sustainability in the Bawku East Municipality of Ghana

Assessment of Groundwater Sustainability in the Bawku East Municipality of Ghana

Impact of Discharged Wastewater Final Effluent on the Physicochemical Qualities of a Receiving Watershed in a Suburban Community of the Eastern Cape Province

Statement on possible public health risks for infants and young children from the presence of nitrates in leafy vegetables

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